Page 39 of Marriage Masquerade

“What about you, Gemma? What is a woman’s take on all this?” one man asked.

Thinking carefully before she spoke, Gemma was gratified to find the same attention was paid to what she said. Though one or two of the men obviously disagreed, no one contradicted her.

“And who is this fascinating creature who has the men hanging on her every word?”

A tall, statuesque blonde joined the group, her eyes surveying each man as if he was her special property. Smiling at Nikos, she extended her hand.

“I don’t believe we’ve met. I’m Sally Rogers.”

Nikos shook her hand briefly. “Nikos Petropoulos. My wife, Gemma.”

For a moment, the blonde’s confidence wavered, but she recovered quickly.

“How nice.”

“It is for me,” Gemma said, stepping closer to Nikos.

She knew she couldn’t compete with the women he used to date, but for now, he was off-limits to all other women. And Gemma meant to reinforce that.

What was she doing, thinking of Nikos as hers? Theirs was a business arrangement, a marriage to suit them both. Not some grand love affair that excluded the rest of the world.

Gemma wondered what it'd be like to be caught up in blazing passion and devoted love for real instead of a masquerade they were displaying to the world.

When Nikos’ hand rested on her bare shoulder, she almost jumped. Then she smiled and turned to him, hoping the confusion of her thoughts didn’t show in her eyes.

“Would you care for something to eat?” he asked softly, turning slightly from the group.

“Yes, I’m starving.”

“I’ve noticed how you enjoy your meals,” he said as he excused them and headed for the lavish buffet on tables at the far wall.

“I need to keep up my strength.”

“Ah, eating for two, I believe the saying goes.”

“Actually, I was thinking more of keeping up with you. Do you think I came across too strongly in that group? I noticed a couple of men seemed annoyed.”

“You expressed yourself well. Morganstern didn’t like your opinion, but you wouldn’t let that stop you from voicing it, would you?”

“No.”

Nikos spoke to several people in passing, and Gemma wondered if he knew everyone present.

When another woman stopped him, Gemma felt her heart sink. She’d thought Sally Rogers beautiful, but this woman made Sally look like a gauche high-school girl.

“Stunning” was the only term to describe her.

Depressed, Gemma watched while Nikos' former wife greeted him.

“Hello, darling,” the woman said, reaching up to kiss Nikos with a familiarity that had Gemma frowning.

Nikos stepped back, his expression impassive.

“Katrina. I didn’t know you would be here.”

“Obviously, darling. Justin thought it would be a pleasant diversion for us to attend. Have you seen the paintings Sven bought from his protégé? Intriguing work. I believe he’ll be a tremendous success.”

Katrina let her gaze move to Gemma. There was a tightness around the eyes, but beyond that, her smile seemed almost genuine.

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